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The almighty 85mm
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Mar 24, 2023 13:54:20   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
Now that I have bought into the mirrorless world and purchased a Canon R5, I have begun the process of deciding which EF lenses to keep and which to sell and replace with RF versions.

The EF lenses I've replaced so far are:
EF 24-105 (Replaced with RF 24-105)
EF 70-200 f4 Non-IS (replaced with RF 70-200 f4 IS)

EF Lenses I'm (so far) keeping:
Sigma 150-600 Contemporary (already tried it out on Birds and it works great)
Canon 300mm f4 L prime
Canon 135 f2
Canon 50mm f1/4

One RF lens that wasn't a replacement, but a new focal length for my kit was the Canon RF 85mm f2. I have always wanted a good 85mm. I would have loved to buy the RF 85 f/1.2 for its creamy bokeh and low light capabilities, but dang, $2600 (on sale) - yikes! The 85 f/2 I recently bought (refurbished) for $489 from Canon is really a terrific lens! Sharp as a tack and great color rendition. Plus, it's much smaller and lighter that the f1.2 "beast" and will cover my needs most of the time.

But this got me thinking - looking at the used market, it is possible to get the EF 85 L II f/1.2 in good used condition for under $1000. Let's just say $1000 for sake of discussion. If I kept the RF 85 f2 for hiking and travel and 90% of my shooting, I could buy a used EF 85 for those occasions when I really felt I needed those extra stops, whether for better bokeh or better low light performance. So for about 1/2 the cost of a new RF 85, I could have the best of both worlds - one lens that's light and small and easy to tote around for everyday use, and another lens for special occasions when that 1.2 is needed. And all this while saving a ton of cash.

Does that scheme make sense?

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Mar 24, 2023 14:08:54   #
tramsey Loc: Texas
 
I don't understand why you feel you need seven lens or are you a professional photographer. I can see three or four but seven?

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Mar 24, 2023 14:11:30   #
tramsey Loc: Texas
 
I don't understand why you feel you need seven lens or are you a professional photographer. I can see three or four but seven?
I took wild life photos along with kid and grand kid portraits for twenty years and have only one lens and it covered it all

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Mar 24, 2023 14:22:50   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
tramsey wrote:
I don't understand why you feel you need seven lens or are you a professional photographer. I can see three or four but seven?


Thanks for your feedback.

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Mar 24, 2023 14:38:05   #
tenny52
 
I have about the same amount of lens but of much lower ends quality which I acquired as used from Ebay. Most of them I hardly use or ever. I admire your enthusiasm and money is no object. Do more gears make you feel better or better pictures do?

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Mar 24, 2023 14:53:29   #
maciej
 
I have the EF 85mm f/1.2L. It is a fine lens and works great on my R5 with an adapter. It is also a bit heavy so I did get the RF 85mm f/2 for convenience in walking around - it is also a fine lens.

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Mar 24, 2023 14:56:53   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
I have the older EF 85mm f1.8 which is tack sharp and a bargain at the price. I actually used it for my son’s entire wedding (as a second shooter to the hired pro) - I wouldn’t be without it. Having said that, I’ve also thought about the EF 85 f1.2L or newer f1.4L IS and know nothing about the RF version, so looking forward to hearing from those who have one. BTW, right decision on keeping the 135 f2L - a great lens. If I was moving to RF, that would stay in my inventory.

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Mar 24, 2023 15:04:52   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
tenny52 wrote:
I have about the same amount of lens but of much lower ends quality which I acquired as used from Ebay. Most of them I hardly use or ever. I admire your enthusiasm and money is no object. Do more gears make you feel better or better pictures do?


Not that I need to justify my gear purchases to anyone, but since you asked - Over the course of a couple of decades I inherited some lenses when my uncle died. Kept some but sold some of those to buy different lenses; Some I bought used on Craig's List and some I have bought new since moving to the R5.

The ones I have bought new I either waited until they were on sale or, in the case of the 85 f2, I purchases as a refurbished unit from the Canon store. I sold some other lenses before buying those two. I also sold a DSLR and that money went towards my RF lenses also. If money was no object I would not have waited for sales, bought refurbished, nor sold other lenses.

Fact is, I am fully retired after 24 years in the military, plus another 20 as a contractor in the missile defense field, plus another 5 years as a program director for a mental health non-profit. In other words, I am at a place in my life where I will buy what I want, if it interests me, but I usually try to get the best deals I can. Does more gear make me feel better? Well, I enjoy the hobby of photography and very much enjoy trying out new gear with different capabilities. So, yes, I guess you could say it makes me feel better - because I'm having fun.

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Mar 24, 2023 15:08:31   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
maciej wrote:
I have the EF 85mm f/1.2L. It is a fine lens and works great on my R5 with an adapter. It is also a bit heavy so I did get the RF 85mm f/2 for convenience in walking around - it is also a fine lens.


That is good to hear. I really do love this 85 f/2 and it's easy to carry around, but I sometimes wish I at least had the option for that mind-blowing f1.2 bokeh and low light capabilities (although with the R5 the high ISO performance, as you know, is so good that the f2 can be quite useful even in lower light situations.

Did you already have the EF 85 when you bought the R5?

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Mar 24, 2023 15:09:00   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
With my old film cameras I had a 28; 35; 50; 135; and 200 (maybe a 2x teleconverter).

Now with the digital I just use an 18-200 and a 50.
Life is simpler.

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Mar 24, 2023 15:10:34   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
TriX wrote:
BTW, right decision on keeping the 135 f2L - a great lens. If I was moving to RF, that would stay in my inventory.


Yeah, that is probably my favorite lens of all that I own. Don't see myself ever parting with that one.

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Mar 24, 2023 15:15:46   #
ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca
 
For at least the last 25yrs I've had & used a Canon 85mm 1.8 --
At the time of purchase, it was described as Canon's undiscovered "L" -- Low priced - Lightweight & Wonderful

Save Your money & put one in your camera bag

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Mar 24, 2023 15:15:52   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
Longshadow wrote:
With my old film cameras I had a 28; 35; 50; 135; and 200 (maybe a 2x teleconverter).

Now with the digital I just use an 18-200 and a 50.
Life is simpler.


I can certainly understand the appeal of going that route. If it serves you well, that's all that matters.

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Mar 24, 2023 15:16:38   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
ken_stern wrote:
For at least the last 25yrs I've had & used a Canon 85mm 1.8 --
At the time of purchase, it was described as Canon's undiscovered "L" -- Low priced - Lightweight & Wonderful


I've not heard much bad about that lens.

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Mar 24, 2023 18:11:47   #
User ID
 
Somehow Ive accumulated several 85s (and 90s). Acoarst that covers multiple systems. It just a super useful FoV. Very good partner for 35 and 40mm wide-ish normals. Not simply a useful FL but also can be of tidy physical size if you avoid excessive lens speed.

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